Israeli reserve pilots to refuse training this week in protest against judicial reform

Hundreds of Israeli Defence Force reservists yesterday refused to participate in training activities in protest against the government’s controversial judicial reforms.

The reservists included pilots, air traffic controllers, ground crew and aerial drone operators and members of special operations and cyber units.

Hundreds more from other military branches have also threatened to refuse call-ups in recent days.

One reservist wrote in a message to her headquarters that she shared on social media, “After realising that the coalition does not intend to change its face in the context of stopping the legislative blitz, I am dedicating the coming week to the war for democracy and against the coup d’état.

She added, “I will not be able to reach the reserves, and I will not be available for the reserves if they need me in the unit. Now I have finished a conversation with the commander of the unit, I informed him about this. And I’m also writing here.”

Another reservist wrote, “Next week I’m in the Knesset on reserve days. For the near term, my priorities have changed.”

Defence Minister Yoav Galant and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, along with opposition leaders have called on reservists not to boycott training, saying their refusal harms national security.

“The IDF will not be able to act without the spirit of volunteering of the reservists and their willingness [to serve], which depends on the preservation of the IDF as the people’s army in a democratic Jewish state,” said Halevi in a March 12 speech.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid and National Unity party leader Benny Gantz — who formerly served as Defense Minister and Chief of Staff — have also appealed to the reservists not to boycott training.

Reservists need to “continue to serve, to show up no matter what, to protect this country with protests and to protect it … despite the pain,” Gantz said earlier in March.

Israel’s universal military service includes reserve duty until the age of 40. Reservists reinforce the Israeli military during situations of war, disasters or national emergencies. Some reservists continue serving in their former units, others are assigned to dedicated reserve units and are periodically called up for training.

The IDF does not publish the overall number of reservists.

Opponents of the judicial overhaul vowed to escalate their protests after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed a compromise framework proposed by President Isaac Herzog on March 15. Opposition party leaders described Herzog’s plan as viable, though not ideal.

The governing coalition’s judicial reforms are deeply controversial. Legislation advancing through the Knesset would primarily alter the way judges are appointed and removed, give the Knesset the ability to override certain High Court rulings, restrict the ability of judges to apply standards of “reasonableness,” and change the way legal advisors are appointed to government ministries.

Supporters of the legal overhaul say they want to end years of judicial overreach while opponents describe the proposals as anti-democratic.